Hi all, Sadly I've broken my Denon DL160 cartridge (a stylus cleaning mishap) and am looking for recommendations on a replacement under $500. I like the sound of the Denon but I'm thinking I might try MM types like the Audio-Technica VM740ML, Nagaoka MP-200 and Ortofon 2M bronze or black as they have good reviews and seem easier to fix and upgrade than any of the MC types. My TT is a Luxman PD284, phono stage a Schitt Mani and I listen to mainly rock, metal, blues and a bit of jazz on mainly old vinyl (but always clean). If anybody has experience with the above carts or any other types I should look into it would be much appreciated. Thanks for your help.
I'd go Nagaoka or Audio-Technica VM 740 ML. Much better sounding than the Ortofon 2M Black, the Bronze is good, but way overpriced. The Audio-Technica MicroLine is a better sounding stylus than a Shibata, and tracks as good or better for less cash outlay. The Nagaoka and Audio-Technica are also good with your tonearm compliance wise.
I’ll just put this out because, my neighbor kid just killed my Denon DL-110. A poster on Audiogon told me about Joseph. [email protected] He buys carts, retips/rebuilds/repairs them & sells them. I just sold him my Denon & he even gave me some very good advice & education on mounting a Sumiko I got on Audiogon. I got $40.... which is waaay more than the trash can would have paid me. Also, dn’t let family con you into “oh that’ll be your Christmas gift”. It’s a daily NECESSITY... not a unnecessary splurge. You don’t give underwear for Christmas. It’s Analogous. lol Good luck with your new cart & I hope you enjoy the crap out of it.
Think I will buy a Ortofon 2M Silver to get things up and running now and look to swap in a 2M bronze stylus when funds allow ( I've learnt that the 2M silver cart body has silver coils but uses the red stylus and therefore can be upgraded to near bronze/black specs with a stylus upgrade). I will send Joseph a message and see if he'll take my old Denon DL160 but I am in Australia so might not be worth the effort. Thanks for all your help.
Thanks for the link. I have a DL-160 that had lost it's diamond, and I asked him for a re-tip estimate.
I recommend the Nag 200 for Jazz especially, it seems to do that great with really up front and clear imaging compared to the 110, or thats how I remember it. You might lose some depth in the process though. I also feel like it might be more low end EQ favored. If you prefer a brighter presentation the AT might be better. Never heard so I cant say, but Ive wanted to try one for those poorly EQd records.
@Jezep, if you are in Australia you may want to ask Garrott Brothers about retipping. No personal experience, I just know they are there and are well regarded for retipping and their own carts.
If I had money to burn, I'd have to try an VM740ML to see if it truly is a better sounding cart than the VM750SH.
I prefer a ML to a SH on my best records (The Shibata is designed for, and excels at one purpose, CD-4 Quadraphonic records)
I've spoken with Garrott Brothers about retipping and catilever service but pricing makes this only worthwhile on more expensive carts. However they have a range of carts I'm considering (K3 or P77i) that seem to compare well with the Ortofon 2M blue/bronze.